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Wading through indoor heated pools, the instructors at British Swim School teach independent swimming skills to learners aged 3 months and older, adhering to a curriculum devised by British national swimmer Rita Goldberg. The 30-minute one-on-one sessions and small-group lessons, containing six or fewer swimmers, elucidate essential techniques for water safety and the importance of speaking fluent manatee. Swimboree (ages 3 months?3 years with parents) and Young Minnows sessions (ages 1?3 years without parents) teach wee swimmers basic water-survival skills, such as the back float. Turtle One and Turtle Two classes focus on freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke maneuvers, honing more structured swimming skills in older kiddos. British Swim School's Shark courses enhance stamina and speed and teach even more demanding strokes, such as the butterfly and little-known mountain-goat flail. Certain British Swim School classes require parents to participate in the water or to supervise from the pool deck, and adults-only lessons allow grown-ups to refine their own abilities without the supervision of a toddler.

Established: 2010
Reservations/Appointments: Required
Staff Size: 2?10 people
Average Duration of Services: 30?60 minutes
Pro Tip: Wear comfortable clothing
Most Popular Attraction/Offering: Archery Tag
Recommended Age Group: All Ages
As the owner of Chicago Archery Academy, Casey has taught students to aim using Olympic recurve bows, traditional recurve bows, longbows, and compound bows. But the real enthusiasm at his training range stems from his latest creation, Archery Tag, which he describes as "paintball but with bows and arrows."
The event takes place in an arena much like a paintball field, with areas of cover and open expanses. Unlike paintball's projectiles, though, the soft, foam-tipped arrows never leave welts, bruises, or marks. The tip of each arrow resembles nothing so much as a marshmallow, which is not known for its aerodynamics. In fact, the shafts fly through the air slowly enough that a participant who is paying attention can dodge them in helping their team claim victory.

TourBound Golf Academy fosters score-shaving improvement for golfers of all abilities with the latest PGA Tour simulators and professional instructors. The immense screens of simulators line the walls, vividly bringing to life the verdant landscapes of 50 of the world's most famous courses. To allow for realistic play, the highly detailed simulator experience takes into account factors such as wind currents, ball spin, and excessively sweaty palms to inform the outcome of each swing. Offering a more hands-on kind of swing sprucing, the academy offers sessions with the TourBound robot, which can correct common swing imbalances, such as having too steep a backswing or failing to transfer body weight through the swing. The long arms of the robot physically guide hands through the proper motions, giving players a feel for the proper technique while making sarcastic remarks about human mortality.
For those looking for less structured practice, the academy also offers hitting bays that foster rote swing mechanics. Between time spent peering into the murky depths of their golf swing, guests can relax amid plush leather seats and spacious locker room.

Play Golf and Tennis's instructors help students hone forehands and chips throughout the year. Aspirant tennis players and golfers improve their game at the Diversey Driving Range and the Hamlin Park tennis courts in the summer, and on Mars in the event of a planetary evacuation. Players learn either sport under the direction of renowned golf and tennis professional Ron Carroll, or work on executing perfect turns in a nonfunctioning golf cart with instructor-supplied engine noises.

Certified personal trainer Rich Ford challenges his boot-camp students during each class. Ford, along with other fitness instructors, runs students through body-weight exercises and sprints during sessions, but tailors the workouts for all fitness levels. In addition to classes, the staff also offers fitness assessments and nutritional guidance to enhance results.

Under the umbrella of the Addison Park District, Club Fitness regales guests of all ages with 44,000 square feet worth of exercise equipment, group fitness studios, and aquatic amenities. Amid the clang of cardio and strength-training machines, certified instructors lead members through a range of free fitness classes, including Zumba, yoga, cycling, Pilates, and aquatic fitness sessions. Seasoned swimmers, 17 and older, can splash about within a six-lane lap pool, and runners can train for upcoming races by looping around the indoor running track in dramatic slow motion with arms outstretched. Those more interested in relaxation can sweat away anxieties in the hot tub or sauna. Before changing clothes within the modern locker rooms, parents can drop their tots off with the friendly attendants at the onsite childcare area.

Groupon Guide

Ari and I stopped in our tracks, trying to catch our breath as we racked our brains thinking of what to do next. We had broken the cardinal rule: we got separated from the group. Just a few minutes before I had been thinking the autumn leaves were beautiful. Now the shades of green, yellow, and red reminded me of infected skin and dripping blood. Ahead of us, the narrow path was clogged by a half-dozen staggering zombies.
“I’ll go first,” Ari volunteered. “I have the least to lose.”
Thankfully, it wasn’t his actual life Ari was sacrificing—just his last flag. This wasn’t some apocalyptic nightmare, it was The Running Dead: a zombie-themed 4.6K that challenged participants to navigate manmade obstacles along a course through Highland, Indiana’s Wicker Memorial Park, all while being chased by hordes of the undead. At every turn, the zombies were trying to snatch three red flags off straps cinched around runners’ waists. There was no penalty for losing all your flags—everybody was encouraged to finish the course—but some primal fear demanded that I avoid capture by these predators in decaying human skin.
Before the race, runners of the previous wave taught us it was a good idea to run en masse; there was safety in numbers. Once I started my heat, the first few obstacles were easy enough, including a short wall of tires and some low hurdles. But then the real challenge presented itself: a group of zombies who lurched out from behind the trees, trying to tear off flags. Caught in the flow of runners, I had no choice but to charge forward, spinning and side-stepping in a desperate bid to hold onto my stash. I got through unscathed.
I didn’t lose my first flag until I found myself in that scrape with Ari. Though he had dashed ahead and made it through with his final flag intact, I wasn’t as lucky. We managed to survive a few more run-ins with zombies, and then endured the heckling of a police officer as he helped us cross a road. “It’s the apocalypse,” he called. “Run faster!”
After crawling through a tunnel blocked by zombies on both ends and practically flinging myself over an inflatable wall (and losing my final two flags in the process), I got a glimpse of the final obstacle—an army crawl under some half-buried picnic tables draped in a black tarp. It was then that I realized I would have never finished the race with a flag to spare. Zombies were lying in wait on the tables’ benches, scooping up any remaining flags from those scuttling beneath. One runner crawling beside me looked up at the lurking zombies and laughed, saying, “Sorry, pal, I’m already dead.”
I emerged once more into daylight, and jogged the last few steps over the finish line, pleased with my finish time of 22 minutes and 19 seconds. Volunteers greeted everyone with cheers, as well as complimentary snack bars and water.
I immediately began thinking about the next race (I heard from the organizers that they’re planning to do a similar event as early as next spring). Attendees can also opt to participate as a zombie, bloodied up with professional makeup, and I couldn’t help but wonder what I might look like as one of the undead.
Try it if: You and yours want a family-friendly fun run, or if you’re down to compete for gift certificates, iPads, and a sweet 6-foot trophy with a blackened skull on top.
Don’t go if: You don’t like running. It’s mostly running.
Beware of: Zombies, obviously. And the cold.
Invite a friend who: Is light on their feet, might be willing to sacrifice a flag for you, and will be ready to dance at the post-race Zombie Prom.
Come prepared with: All your running gear, though T-shirts were provided.
Wear: Good shoes, warm running clothes, and gory Halloween accessories.
Intensity level: Relatively low, and good for kids 11 and older.
Photo courtesy of The Running Dead

Sadly, it’s too late to enter this year’s Olympic Games. Start training for 2018 by checking out some of the Midwest’s best training grounds for curling, skiing, and the luge.
For 17 days in February, athletes from around the world will descend upon Sochi, Russia, for the chance to win Olympic gold. They’ll invariably draw upon years of intense preparation, having practiced the same figure-skating routines hundreds of times or spent hours in the video room poring over scenes from Cool Runnings­­. Though it’s too late to enter this year’s games, Chicagoans can start training for 2018 by checking out some of the Midwest’s best training grounds for popular Winter Olympic sports.
Ice Skating
Where to Train: McFetridge Sports Center (3843 N. California Ave. | Irving Park)
There may be a shortage of snow in the late days of spring, but that doesn’t mean Olympic athletes can take the season off. Ice skaters spend much of the year gliding in circles around McFetridge Sports Center, where the indoor rink stays open through August. The facility hosts group classes for skaters aged 4 or older, but visitors can also partake in open sessions and synchronized-skating classes.
Cross-Country Skiing
Where to Train: Forest Preserve District of Cook County (536 N. Harlem Ave. | River Forest)
Chicagoland is home to a number of parks and forest preserves that double as hubs of cross-country skiing, but Sagawau Environmental Learning Center ranks among the best. Located within the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, all of the park’s trails are open for wintertime skiing. The same goes for much of the rest of the preserve, with the exception of a few nature centers and golf courses. There’s even a Nordic skiing program complete with lessons and nature tours.
Snowboarding
Where to Train: Chestnut Mountain (8700 W. Chestnut Rd. | Galena)
Chestnut Mountain is home to one of the largest snowmaking systems in the entire Midwest, which explains why its 220 acres are consistently blanketed in fresh powder. Although the mountain welcomes both skiers and snowboarders, the latter camp tends to overrun Farside, a massive terrain park filled with halfpipes, quarterpipes, and more than 25 slick rails. Chairlifts whisk boarders up the rest of the mountain, where 19 runs for all skill levels await. If a full day of shredding leaves you seeing white, kick back in the resort’s lodge and take in an awe-inspiring view of the Mississippi River.
Ice Hockey
Where to Train: Johnny’s IceHouse (1350 and 2550 W. Madison St. | Near West Side)
At last count, Johnny’s IceHouse hosted 126 adult hockey teams. Actually, make that 127—the complex’s western location doubles as the practice rink for the Chicago Blackhawks. In addition to leagues, clinics, and tournaments for adults of all skill levels, both IceHouses feature similar programs for youth players, including a 32-team Thanksgiving tournament. While you’re waiting for the puck to drop, chow down on popcorn and Chicago-style hot dogs inside The Stanley Club, a restaurant and lounge that overlooks the rink.
Luge
Where to Train: Muskegon Winter Sports Complex (462 Scenic Dr. | North Muskegon, MI)
Sure, you could always spend the day snowshoeing or sledding. But Muskegon Winter Sports Complex also offers a wintery amusement that’s far less accessible to the common athlete. Designed specifically for beginners by three-time Olympian Frank Masley, the complex’s luge track is one of only four in the United States. The 850-foot track features six curves, which riders can hug at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Coaches are on hand to help beginners navigate the track and vie for Olympic-style awards.
Curling
Where to Train: Chicago Curling Club (555 Dundee Rd. | Northbrook)
The Chicago Curling Club opened its doors in 1948—a full 24 years after curling debuted in the first-ever Winter Olympics. Such historical tidbits are far from trivial to the club, which houses a curling museum full of records, equipment, and related ephemera. After getting acquainted with the sport’s past, you can lace up for a Learn2Curl class that includes on-ice training and practice games. In addition to these classes, the facility’s four sheets of ice host games and tournaments—bonspiels, to the initiated­—for players of all skill levels. You can even partake in the postgame “broomstacking,” a time-honored ritual that entails feasting, drinking, and socializing with fellow curlers.
Photos: McFetridge Sports Center (Ice skating); Forest Preserve District of Cook County (Cross-country skiing); Chestnut Mountain (Skiing and snowboarding); Johnny's IceHouse (Ice hockey); Collin Brennan (Luge); Adam Faust (Curling)

As a personal stylist at Trunk Club, Emily Warner’s job is to pair men with designer clothes—to get them wearing items that are more adventurous or upscale than they’re used to, yet still embody their personal style. The process is a lot like choosing a gift: keep in mind the recipient’s personality, but don’t be afraid to get him something he wouldn’t pick out for himself.
So with Father’s Day coming up, I wondered: how do personal stylists choose gifts for their dads? Has their job given them any additional insight into what men want? To find out, I interviewed Emily and two of her colleagues, Trunk Club sales director Jamie Snydel and senior stylist Jamie Green. Here’s what I learned.
1) It’s OK to choose something your dad doesn’t know he wants yet.
“I like to pick out things that will help my loved ones go one step outside their comfort zone,” Warner says. She recently got her dad his first pair of designer jeans, an attempt to replace a beat-up old pair from Costco. “He was not into it until he put them on and my mom saw him, gasped, and said ‘You look so handsome!’ Needless to say, they are now his favorite pair.”
Snydel had similar success buying her father a Nike Fuel band. “I got it for him for Christmas last year. He became so obsessed, and since December has lost 45 pounds!” She says that thanks to his physical transformation, he even enjoys shopping for clothes now.
2) If you’re an expert on something, use that.
Perhaps it’s no surprise that all three employees of the men’s wardrobe service are getting their dads clothes for Father’s Day. Snydel, for instance, picked out a light gray pair of Paige chinos. “My dad is in his sixties and it would be pretty tough to get him to wear stark white pants, so this is a suitable alternative,” she says. “Light gray pants go with anything from T-shirts to blazers and a button-up and are perfect for the summer weather ahead.”
As for Green, she purposely chose a golf shorts/dress shirt combo she knew her dad would find versatile. “Not only can he wear the two pieces together at the beach where he lives,” she says, “but he can wear each piece separately while doing two of his favorite activities: playing golf and selling real estate.”
The point, Snydel says, is that giving gifts is a great way to share the benefits of her professional expertise with her family. “My dad and my brother are much better dressed because of me,” she says. “Two guys who never cared about clothes now are constantly asking me for style advice.”
3) Make it personal.
Warner is also giving her father a golf outfit, but in her case it has special significance. Along with the clothes, she’s including a round of golf together, a father-daughter tradition. “Playing together whenever I come home has always been our thing,” she says. “Now it is my chance to bring a little style to his game.”
For her part, Green is a fan of literally personalizing gifts. She says the best present she ever got her dad was a set of custom golf balls with his initials on them. “Not only does it make them one-of-a-kind, but I know that each time he plays golf he will think of me.”
For even more stylish gift ideas for Dad, check out our shopping guides to Sir & Madame and Haberdash, or visit Groupon’s Father’s Day store.
Follow along as our writer test drives Trunk Club’s personal styling services.
I Have a Wedding in Vegas and Nothing to Wear. Trunk Club, Help.
The men’s clothing service fixes me up and gives me beer for the trouble.